Snowboard Edge Structure with Elastomeric Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow gliding boards face challenges in optimizing the transmission of forces at the edges during turns, leading to reduced control and stability, particularly due to the degradation of mechanical mobility and force intensity caused by conventional edge structures.
Innovation Solution
A snow gliding board with a unique edge structure composed of three elements: an internal element with high compression stiffness, an intermediate elastomeric element for shock absorption, and an external element with lower compression stiffness, which creates a suspension effect to enhance force transmission and damping, thereby improving edge behavior during turns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an elastomeric material is used in the edge to provide mechanical mobility, then the edge can deform more easily, but the intensity of forces transmitted to the edge is reduced and the behavior of the ski degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The edge is divided into three distinct elements (internal element, intermediate elastomeric element, external element) with different mechanical properties. Each element serves a specific function: the internal element provides rigidity for force transmission, the intermediate element provides elasticity and shock absorption, and the external element protects the core. This segmentation allows the edge to simultaneously achieve both mechanical mobility and high force transmission intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge combines multiple materials with different mechanical properties (rigid material for internal element, elastomeric material for intermediate element, protective material for external element) into a composite structure. This composite construction enables the edge to exhibit both elastic deformation capabilities and high force transmission characteristics, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and force intensity.
2Force
If a single rigid edge structure is used, then force transmission is efficient, but the edge cannot absorb shocks and vibrations effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The edge is segmented into three functional elements where the intermediate elastomeric element specifically addresses shock absorption while the internal element maintains force transmission efficiency. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both force transmission and energy dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate elastomeric element acts as a mediator between the rigid internal element and the external environment. It absorbs shocks and vibrations while allowing the rigid internal element to efficiently transmit forces to the snow, thus resolving the contradiction between force transmission efficiency and shock absorption.
3Reliability
If the edge is made from multiple assembled elements, then the structure becomes more complex, but the force transmission and damping behavior can be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The edge is divided into three distinct elements with specific functions, allowing optimized control over force transmission and damping behavior. While this increases structural complexity, it enables precise tuning of mechanical properties for reliable edge performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of three elements with different material properties enables optimized edge behavior control. The combination of rigid, elastomeric, and protective materials creates a reliable system that can be tuned for specific performance requirements despite the increased complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The described edge structure enhances force transmission and stability, allowing for better control and increased grip on the snow, making the board more efficient and comfortable for cornering and competition use by filtering vibrations and maintaining edge performance.
Implementation Method 1
the intermediate element, with an elastomeric base, acts as a shock absorber thanks to the fact that the external element has a lower stiffness in compression, thus allowing faster deformation of the external element compared to the internal element. The vertical shearing induced inside the elastomeric intermediate element makes it possible to dissipate energy to create the damping effect
Implementation Method 2
the intermediate element, with an elastomeric base, acts as a shock absorber
Implementation Method 3
the internal element of the edge, which has the greatest rigidity in compression, makes it possible to ensure the transmission of the supports from the upper layer and in particular from the upper reinforcement, towards the edges
Implementation Method 4
the external element has a lower stiffness in compression, thus allowing faster deformation of the external element compared to the internal element
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Snowshoe board (1) having an internal structure comprising: - a lower assembly (2) including a base (6) bordered by edges (3) and at least one lower reinforcement (8), - an upper assembly (10) including at least one upper reinforcement (14), - a core (9) separating said lower (2) and upper (10) assemblies, - sidewalls (20) forming the lateral sides of the board, these sidewalls being made up of several elements joined together and positioned substantially vertically, characterized in that at least one of the sidewalls is made up of three elements, namely an internal element (23), an intermediate element (22), an external element (21), in which the intermediate element (22) is made of an elastomeric material, and the internal element (23) has a compressive stiffness greater than the compressive stiffness of the external element (21).